USAT Long Course Nationals

Off Wed early morning to compete in the USAT half-max championships in Missouri.

I dont feel as strong as I did at Florida 70.3, and I dont expect to win the age group this weekend. In fact, looking at the climbing on the bike and run, and high probability of no wet suit on the swim, the course doesnt suit me.

I have done no specific hill intervals on the bike or run since Roth. Why? Because my key races are World 70.3 and 3 weeks later, IM Western Australia. Both are essentially flat courses. Thus, every one of my intervals have been on very flat terrain. This is important on the bike especially, as the constant spin holding a constant wattage without changing position on the bike is important in training for a flatter course.

So, I very well my be demoralized on the hills, especially the run course, the lay out of which looks like a saber tooth with continuous short steep hills.

We'll see. This is a high priority race for us, but not the highest. I hope to gain fitness of this race and this will be a stepping stone to some bigger workouts going into Clearwater in November.

Yesterday's swim felt pretty good. Times not as fast as pre-Roth, but I was happy to put in 5 X 800 meter intervals at a progressive pace. All while feeling strong in the water, right until the end.

My plan for Nationals?
Simple. Push the bike to near max whenever possible. Push, push, push. Get off the bike and see what I can do off dead legs. Yeah, I can do this in a half and olympic. Far different than a full IM, where pacing is everything.